diff --git a/build.sh b/build.sh
index 3bc3228a193f7..aae39e94ea730 100755
--- a/build.sh
+++ b/build.sh
@@ -94,6 +94,10 @@ if [ "$check_compat" == "true" ]; then
 fi
 
 # Create the release notes for the current version. These are ephemeral and not saved in source.
-node ./scripts/create-release-notes.js
+# Skip this step for a "bump candidate" build, where a new, fake version number has been created
+# without any corresponding changelog entries.
+if ! ${BUMP_CANDIDATE:-false}; then
+    node ./scripts/create-release-notes.js
+fi
 
 touch $BUILD_INDICATOR